2015

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

Posted: August 3rd, 2015

Filed under: #fairstartforIndigKids, Little People Big Futures, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day, SNAICC, SNAICC Children's Day

August 4 is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. #fairstartforIndigKids recognises the strengths and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and draws attention to the issues affecting them.

This year’s Children’s Day theme is Little People, Big Futures emphasising an investment in the children of today will secure the strength and success of communities tomorrow. Visit aboriginalchildrensday.com.au for more information.

2015 Amnesty International Media Awards now open

Posted: July 24th, 2015

Filed under: Aboriginal Art, Aboriginal Heritage Act, agreement, Amnesty International Media Awards, human rights, Indigenous category, Indigenous Community Stories, Journalists, media, Mid West, Perth, Pilbara, Port Hedland, WA media, WA State Government, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

Amnesty’s Indigenous Youth Incarceration Campaign
Photo: (c)AIA/ IngetjeTadros

These awards include the Indigenous Reporting category, recognising excellence in media coverage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander human rights issues.

This year’s Amnesty International Australia Media Awards are now open and journalists are encouraged to enter their human rights stories of the last year.

To enter these awards visit here before the closing date of Friday 14 August 2015.

City of Geraldton launches “Welcome to Country Guide”

Posted: July 14th, 2015

Filed under: City of Greater Geraldton, Geraldton, NAIDOC Week, Welcome to Country, Welcome to Country Guide

City of Greater Geraldton launches “Welcome to Country Guide” Photo source: City of Greater Geraldton

The City of Greater Geraldton officially launched its “Welcome to Country Guide” last Friday night, as part of NAIDOC Week.

The guide includes up to date information for City Officers, Councillors and the broader community on protocols and processes when presenting a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country.

For more information on the Welcome to Country, or to view the guide, visit the City website on http://www.cgg.wa.gov.au/ and search “Welcome to Country”.

Congratulations Graham Taylor NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year

Posted: July 13th, 2015

Filed under: Amangu Yamatji, Amangu Yamatji elder, Australian Defence Force, Graham Taylor, Indigenous youth, Male Elder of the Year 2015, Midwest Region Hall of Fame, NAIDOC, NAIDOC Elder of the Year, NAIDOC week 2015, Three Springs, West Australian, YMAC, YMAC News, YMAC News June edition

Graham Taylor NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year 2015 Credit: Lucas Wroe

Congratulations to Graham Taylor on winning the 2015 Male Elder of the Year at this year’s NAIDOC Awards.

An Amangu Yamatji elder, Graham was born in Three Springs and has made a strong contribution to the Australian Defence Force. He now mentors Indigenous youth as an inspirational leader and role model for young people.

Graham has previously been awarded NAIDOC Elder of the Year in 2008. In 2012 he was also recognised, being elected into Western Australia’s Midwest Region Hall of Fame for his contribution to the region.

Well done Graham.

To read more about Graham visit our latest edition of YMAC News here.

Happy NAIDOC Week!

Posted: July 8th, 2015

Filed under: Bundiyarra Irra Wanga language program, Geraldton, Godfrey Simpson, NAIDOC week 2015, Tom Price.

NAIDOC Week 2015 is now in full swing, and YMAC has been busy celebrating the achievements of Aboriginal people. You can find out what events are happening near you by visiting the official NAIDOC site.

Celebrating NAIDOC 2015 in Tom Price

Geraldton YMAC staff getting a lesson in Wajarri from Bundiyarra’s Godfrey Simpson

Be a community advisor in Geraldton

Posted: June 12th, 2015

Filed under: Geraldton, WA Museum

The WA Museum in Geraldton is looking for new members for its Community Advisory Committee, and Aboriginal applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Museum is now accepting expressions of interests for two voluntary community representative positions.

WA Museum CEO Alec Coles said he hopes to receive Expressions of Interest from people who want to be part of the history and future of Geraldton and the Mid West.

“Members of the Advisory Committee actively advocate for the Museum and provide a community perspective on the Museum’s

Expressions of Interest including a statement outlining suitability and a current resume should be mailed to Leigh O’Brien, WA Museum – Geraldton, PO Box 2229, Geraldton, WA 6530, or emailed to leigh.o’brien@museum.wa.gov.au by 4pm, 19 June 2015.

New publication for Traditional Owners on shale gas

Posted: May 25th, 2015

Filed under: fracking, Publication, shale gas

Western Australia potentially has huge resources of shale gas in the East Pilbara, Mid West and Kimberley regions. The amount of shale gas in WA is estimated to be double the amount of gas held in WA’s offshore conventional gas fields, and the Department of Mines and Petroleum estimates that significant commercial production of shale gas might start around 2020 or 2025.

It is important that Traditional Owners understand what this might mean for their Country, and know the potential risks and benefits. To assist in this learning process YMAC held a series of workshops in the regions in 2014 and have now launched a new guide to shale gas for Traditional Owners.

Click here to download your pdf or call your local YMAC office or email editor@ymac.org.au to request a free hard copy.

Oral history in Geraldton

Posted: May 19th, 2015

Filed under: Aboriginal oral history, Charmaine Green, City of Greater Geraldton, Geraldton Regional Library, Graham Taylor, Joan Gray, National Reconciliation Week, Radio MAMA, Wajarri language

This National Reconciliation Week, Radio Mama will broadcast live from Geraldton Regional Library’s Aboriginal Oral History Morning on the 3^rd of June. Embrace this opportunity to learn about local history and culture as local residents Graham Taylor, Charmaine Green and Joan Gray share their stories. You will hear about their respective experiences as a Vietnam veteran, a local artist and the daughter of a prominent author.

The event will run from 10am to 11:30 am and morning tea will be provided. To RSVP call 9956 6659 or email library@cgg.wa.gov.au. Also be sure to check out the Wajarri storytime at the library on May 28 and 29 from 9:30 to 10:30 am.

National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June. To find out more about what’s happening near you visit reconciliation.org.au/nrw/

Aboriginal language initiatives

Posted: May 15th, 2015

Filed under: Bundiyarra Irra Wanga language program, Geraldton, Janelle Mowarin, language, Nanda, Ngarluma, Nyangumarta, Port Hedland, Roebourne, Tyson Mowarin, Wangka Maya, Weerianna Street Media

There are positive initiatives across Western Australia committed to preserving traditional languages.

Nyangumarta speakers in Hedland recently underwent training to become qualified interpreters for hospitals and courts. The training facilitated by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters is hoped to increase access to services for Aboriginal people.

Weerianna Street Media in collaboration with linguist Janelle Mowarin and the Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre have created language videos for schools and other resources to complement a Ngarluma online dictionary. The Wangka Maya dictionary and Ngarluma Language Resource are available online here.

Geraldton’s Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre recently launched a Nhanda alphabet poster along with other educational posters which promote the Nhanda language. Anyone interested in contributing to the Nhanda dictionary project may call Ms Sitorus at the Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre on 9920 7900.